Trail-Oriented Development (TrOD) is an innovative planning approach that integrates multiuse trails with residential and commercial development to create walkable, bike-friendly communities that enhance mobility, promote healthier lifestyles, and strengthen local economies. Similar to Transit-Oriented Development (TOD), TrOD clusters businesses, housing, and other amenities around trails to foster vibrant, connected neighborhoods. Join the TrailNation Collaborative, […]

Resilience is vitally important to every single person living in the Mid-South. Climate and weather-related shocks and stressors have major impacts on safety and quality of life for all residents, regardless of age, income, race, community, etc. Mitigating these threats and building the capacity to bounce back quickly from disasters will keep residents safe and […]

This guidebook demonstrates how trails are part of resilient transportation infrastructure, how trails can be planned and designed to be resilient and sustainable, and how trails have a role in emergency planning and response. Trails of all kinds are places for recreation, exercise, and active transportation. Trails are also a crucial tool for making communities […]

As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, trails are playing an increasingly vital role in planning, recovery, and resiliency. From serving as alternative evacuation routes to critical drivers of economic recovery, trails are emerging as essential infrastructure in times of crisis. In this session, attendees heard real-world examples of trails serving as critical infrastructure […]

Trail-oriented Development (TrOD) is a planning approach that clusters residential and commercial spaces around trails, creating walkable, human-scaled environments designed for active transportation, recreation, and business growth. Central Indiana features a growing network of trails, including the Monon Trail and Fall Creek Trail, with vibrant areas like Broad Ripple and Carmel Midtown successfully embracing TrOD […]

Join Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) to learn more about successful collaborations between agencies and organizations to secure funding for trails and active transportation. This session highlighted the importance of collaborative relationships to accelerate trail network development and provides tools to build successful partnerships in your community.   RTC was joined by Audra Koester Thomas and […]

Join the TrailNation Collaborative, powered by Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) as we explore key challenges and opportunities in working with railroads. Following Working with Railroads Part 1: Productive Partnerships for Successful Projects, this hour-long Q&A session offers a unique opportunity to engage with a panel of RTC experts. This highly interactive event is designed […]

Join the TrailNation Collaborative, powered by Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) as we explore key challenges and opportunities in working with railroads. Featuring railroad and trail sponsor perspectives, this webinar will discuss proactive strategies and practical approaches for tracking and researching corridors, engaging stakeholders and fostering productive relationships with railroad companies. Whether you are actively […]

This document from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides support to grantees when real estate programs require the acquisition of real property interest owned by a railroad. It explains and outlines the necessity of developing a clear and understandable appraisal scope of work and describes the methodologies that may be most appropriate in arriving at […]

Rails-with-trails, which are trails located adjacent to active rail lines, are valuable assets in providing safe transportation networks for pedestrians and bicyclists. In 2013, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy produced a report that examines the characteristics of 88 existing rails-with-trails in 33 states, based on a survey of trail managers and the results of RTC’s ongoing study. America’s Rails-with-Trails provides […]